Parachute charity marking 20th anniversary of “Safe Kids Week”

Parachute is marking the 20 year anniversary of Safe Kids Week, a national awareness campaign that runs from May 30-June 5. Parachute is a national charity dedicated to helping Canadians stop predictable and preventable injuries, the number one killer of children aged 14 and under. The injury impact is staggering. Preventable injuries are the #1 killer of children in the country and they cost the Canadian economy $27B a year, and worst of all, one child dies every nine hours.

For twenty years, Safe Kids Week has built awareness and educated Canadian families about how to keep their kids safe, active, and having fun. This year, Parachute Safe Kids Week focuses on the top childhood injuries ‘At Home, At Play, and On The Road.’

“We want kids to get outside and be active, but we want them to do it safely,” says Louise Logan, Parachute President and CEO. “We can decrease injury and death by continuing to make safety a top priority. But it takes all of us caring together to make it happen.”

There are a few easy ways Canadians can celebrate Parachute Safe Kids Week. Participate in a local community event. Share a pledge across social media platforms using #SafeKids20. Donate to Parachute and help support life saving programs. Details, resources and more information are available at parachutecanada.org/safekidsweek.

Toronto mother, Selina Esteves understands how suddenly and severely children can be affected. “My son, Hudson ended up in the emergency room after drinking two bottles of children’s medication. I thought he was in bed, but he managed to drag a stool, climb the bathroom shelves and open two child-resistant bottles. Children are naturally curious but we thought the medications were safe and out of reach. We now store them in a locked box,” she said.

Preventable injury remains the leading cause of death among Canadian children. In fact, every nine hours a child’s life is cut short by a preventable injury in Canada.

The 20th Anniversary of Safe Kids Week will highlight the importance of avoiding the most common childhood injuries.